By Tanya Batson-Savage, Staff ReporterTHE RUINS of a Roman coliseum formed the backdrop to the 'Reliving the Glory in Gospel' concert at The Ward Theatre, Downtown Kingston on Sunday evening. Although it might not have been intentional, the selection spoke volumes about the nature of the concert, which was to raise funds for the restoration of the theatre while giving praise.
The Ward currently has no sound system of its own, so the sound equipment of Grizzly's was brought in for the occasion. This too spoke volumes about the need for The Ward to move into the 21st century. Judy Mowatt, Goddy Goddy, Noreta Lewis and Sister Scully were among those who answered the call to come to the theatre's aid.
At the start of the show, a few minutes after 4:00 p.m., the theatre was far too close to empty. Fortunately, the crowd soon swelled to a level more suited to the cause and the occasion. The audience was in a lively mood and eager to hear the Word delivered through music.
'Reliving the Glory in Gospel' was hosted by Love FM's Nadine Blair, who did a fair job of keeping the audience entertained between the performances. The theatre was transformed into more of a concert hall since people often took the chance to stand and sing along, and sometimes even moved into the aisles.
The Portmore Vision Choir started off the performances. They began their performance with a bang and a bounce with Chevelle Franklyn's Radio Is Playing It. From there the choir moved to My All.
The evening also featured several popular choruses which were either sung in medley or inserted into other songs. Theophilus Brown, the 1990 winner of the Jamaica Cultural Development's National Gospel Song competition, began the trend. He began his performance with Rock My Soul in The Bosom of Abraham, and blended it with This Little Light of Mine and Amen. He ended his lively set with Amazing Grace Shall Be My Song of Praise and Don't Worry and Fret. For the latter he asked the audience to get to their feet and many quickly accepted the invitation.
The invitation to stand would not have to be extended again, because from there the audience stood when they were moved to (at least until a usher asked them to sit down). The audience seemed to be most moved to abandon their seats during Noreta Lewis' performance.
In the middle of her performance, Lewis asked the question, "Yuh feel like running tonight?" She needed to say no more as she swung into another energetic song several people got to their feet and a man and woman actually took the time to skip and dance down the aisle. Lewis ended her performance with a volley of choruses which had the audience dancing and singing along.
When she left the stage, she was followed by an insistent chant of "We want more!" Nadine Blair finally decided to give in slightly, by asking Lewis to give a short a capella version of I'll Make It To The Valley. I'll Make it to the Valley had won her the 2002 JCDC National Gospel Song competition.
Goddy Goddy brought a very different flavour to the evening with his dancehall songs. The gospel deejay chanted his ideologies in a slew of lyrics, often tempered by a shouted "Hallelujoooooh!", which found much favour with the audience. At first he attacked all cult spiritual practices, which he lumped together as obeah. After that lyrical sermon ended, he then moved on to the what he described as the evil of abortion.
It was then time for Sister Scully to take command of the stage. She delivered a powerful round of songs which had the audience shouting their delight.
The evening would also feature performances by the dance ensemble Portraits of the Word, Gifton Smith, Allan Lewis and Edwin Myers. Judy Mowatt brought the evening to a wonderful close with a selection of songs which moved the audience. Between the songs, Mowatt interspersed some preaching. By the end of her performance one woman seemed aflame with the spirit, which her ejaculated 'Hallelujahs' indicated. For the second time that evening, there was a demand for an encore, but this time, the audience's request was denied.
'Reliving the Glory in Gospel' is the second in the 'Reliving the Glory' concert series. The series will feature monthly concerts in celebration of the 'Year of the Ward', which was launched last May.
